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| Guantanamo protest at US embassy | Guantanamo protest at US embassy |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Protesters are due to gather outside the US embassy in London to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. | Protesters are due to gather outside the US embassy in London to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. |
| The protest is one of a number being organised around the world by human rights group Amnesty International. | The protest is one of a number being organised around the world by human rights group Amnesty International. |
| A candlelit vigil outside Downing Street on Wednesday was intended to put pressure on the government to secure the release of detained UK residents. | A candlelit vigil outside Downing Street on Wednesday was intended to put pressure on the government to secure the release of detained UK residents. |
| MP Sarah Teather said it was "outrageous" it was not doing more. | MP Sarah Teather said it was "outrageous" it was not doing more. |
| Protesters wearing orange boiler-suits, blindfolds, goggles and face-masks are expected to take part in the demonstration outside the US embassy. | Protesters wearing orange boiler-suits, blindfolds, goggles and face-masks are expected to take part in the demonstration outside the US embassy. |
| You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial Amnesty International spokesman Neil Durkin | You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial Amnesty International spokesman Neil Durkin |
| Amnesty International has called the camp "an icon of lawlessness". | Amnesty International has called the camp "an icon of lawlessness". |
| Spokesman Neil Durkin told BBC News: "It is totally, completely unacceptable that you are holding 390 prisoners in total defiance of international human rights standards. | Spokesman Neil Durkin told BBC News: "It is totally, completely unacceptable that you are holding 390 prisoners in total defiance of international human rights standards. |
| "You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial. | "You are not allowing human rights groups there, you are not allowing families to visit, and you are not offering these prisoners - even after five years - the prospect of a fair trial. |
| "There are all those allegations of torture as well, so I think it is important we say something today." | "There are all those allegations of torture as well, so I think it is important we say something today." |
| The UK government has already said it would prefer it if the camp was closed. | The UK government has already said it would prefer it if the camp was closed. |
| Currently there are eight British residents with leave to return being held at the camp in Cuba, which has come under fire from human rights groups. | Currently there are eight British residents with leave to return being held at the camp in Cuba, which has come under fire from human rights groups. |
| Lawyers say Mr al-Rawi is having a mental breakdown | Lawyers say Mr al-Rawi is having a mental breakdown |
| Among them are Iraqi businessman Bisher al-Rawi and his friend, Jordanian Jamil el-Banna, who both lived in London before they were detained. | Among them are Iraqi businessman Bisher al-Rawi and his friend, Jordanian Jamil el-Banna, who both lived in London before they were detained. |
| They have been held without trial in Guantanamo Bay since 2003 on suspicion of having links to terrorism. | They have been held without trial in Guantanamo Bay since 2003 on suspicion of having links to terrorism. |
| Their lawyer, Zachary Katznelson, visited them in November 2006. | Their lawyer, Zachary Katznelson, visited them in November 2006. |
| He told BBC News that Mr el-Banna was not receiving an appropriate diet for diabetes, which was causing extreme leg pains and a deterioration in his eyesight. | He told BBC News that Mr el-Banna was not receiving an appropriate diet for diabetes, which was causing extreme leg pains and a deterioration in his eyesight. |
| "He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence." | "He very much wants to be with his family and has always maintained his innocence." |
| Mr el-Banna has five British children, the youngest of whom he has never met. Mr al-Rawi has been in isolation since March last year and is having a mental breakdown, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve. | Mr el-Banna has five British children, the youngest of whom he has never met. Mr al-Rawi has been in isolation since March last year and is having a mental breakdown, says Mr Katznelson, of UK charity Reprieve. |
| Continuing talks | Continuing talks |
| In his cell, there is a thin sleeping mat, toilet, sink and a Koran to read. Lights are left on all day and night and he is rarely allowed outdoors, the lawyer added. | In his cell, there is a thin sleeping mat, toilet, sink and a Koran to read. Lights are left on all day and night and he is rarely allowed outdoors, the lawyer added. |
| Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their release. | Both men's MPs are fighting to secure their release. |
| Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey asked Prime Minister Tony Blair on 8 January to make a personal plea to US President George W Bush to secure Mr al-Rawi's release. | Liberal Democrat MP Edward Davey asked Prime Minister Tony Blair on 8 January to make a personal plea to US President George W Bush to secure Mr al-Rawi's release. |
| Mr el-Banna has never met his youngest child | Mr el-Banna has never met his youngest child |
| The Foreign Office said it was in continuing talks with the US over his release and the decision was in the hands of US officials. | The Foreign Office said it was in continuing talks with the US over his release and the decision was in the hands of US officials. |
| However, it said that following a court ruling last July, it was under no obligation to act on behalf of his fellow foreign nationals being held. | However, it said that following a court ruling last July, it was under no obligation to act on behalf of his fellow foreign nationals being held. |
| 'More pain' | 'More pain' |
| Sarah Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent East, said it was "outrageous" that the government "would not lift a finger" to help her constituent. | Sarah Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent East, said it was "outrageous" that the government "would not lift a finger" to help her constituent. |
| "Each day that Jamil el-Banna spends in illegal imprisonment brings more pain for his family," she said. | "Each day that Jamil el-Banna spends in illegal imprisonment brings more pain for his family," she said. |
| Also joining the vigil will be Amani Deghayes, whose Libyan-born brother Omar, 37, from Brighton, has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002. | Also joining the vigil will be Amani Deghayes, whose Libyan-born brother Omar, 37, from Brighton, has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002. |
| His mother Zohra Zewawi said she had travelled to Cuba for the five-year anniversary protest because her heart was "overflowing with grief". | His mother Zohra Zewawi said she had travelled to Cuba for the five-year anniversary protest because her heart was "overflowing with grief". |
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